Or even several hundred turbines at once. Does it sound like absolute sci-fi? Not at all, this is serious scientific research. Scientists from the University of Texas in Arlington, USA, led by Professor J. C. Chiao, designed wind micro-mills (the micro specification is entirely appropriate here, as the devices are the thickness of a human hair) made from a flexible nickel alloy that would power mobile phones with electrical energy. It would be enough to cover the phone's casing with micro-turbines, then wave it in the air, and the device would charge. However, charging one mobile phone would require quite a few hundred of these wind turbines. This minor problem could perhaps be circumvented by using a wind charger invented by Indian Shri N. V. Satyanarayana. It reportedly only needs wind at a minimum speed of 20 km/h to operate. However, the micro-turbines from Texas scientists could find application not only in mobile phones, but also in other, less energy-demanding devices, such as various detectors and sensors. Wind micro-turbines will certainly find their place in the world of dynamically developing modern microelectronics. We at Greenhousing would definitely love such a mobile phone! ed, photo UoT Arlington 